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Itinerary for Jun 4 — Jun 9, 2014

Description: Termas de Papallacta is located in the Andean highlands (10,890 ft) in the small village of Papallacta. Crisp mountain air, thermal hot springs, and the region's beautiful scenery are all condusive to relaxation. The hotel prides itself in providing healthy and invigorating spa services; offering guests a safe haven where they can escape from the tensions and stress of everyday life and recharge their batteries.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: Subject to availability.Room type and rates are subject to availability. Please contact your program provider at 1-800-866-7111 or roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com if you would like assistance in booking additional hotel nights.

Day One: Wednesday, June 04 - Program #6043 Ends and Extension #21104 Begins/An...

The Antisana Ecological Reserve comprises approximately 120,000 hectares and includes great views of the snow-capped Antisana Volcano. This protected area is well known among bird lovers who come to try and spot species such as the endangered Andean Condor, as well as Andean Lapwing, Carunculated Caracara, and Black-faced Ibis.

Lunch: At a local hacienda.

Afternoon: Transfer to Papallacta.

Arrive at the hotel and check-in.
The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure to enjoy the hotel's thermal pools.

Description: Termas de Papallacta is located in the Andean highlands (10,890 ft) in the small village of Papallacta. Crisp mountain air, thermal hot springs, and the region's beautiful scenery are all condusive to relaxation. The hotel prides itself in providing healthy and invigorating spa services; offering guests a safe haven where they can escape from the tensions and stress of everyday life and recharge their batteries.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: Subject to availability.Room type and rates are subject to availability. Please contact your program provider at 1-800-866-7111 or roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com if you would like assistance in booking additional hotel nights.

Morning: Transfer to a private nature reserve situated just 15 minutes from Papallacta. Hike in the reserve's humid temperate forest, taking special notice of unique flora and the region's abundant birdlife.

Lunch: At the reserve.

Afternoon: Return to Papallacta.

The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure to enjoy the hotel's thermal pools. Spa services are available at an additional charge.

Smoking policy: YesSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Three: Friday, June 06 - Transfer from Papallacta to Pimán/Highland Flower...

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, depart to the Imbabura province.

Visit a local farm for a look at Ecuador's profitable flower industry. On-site discussion: Introduction to Ecuador's Flower Export Business. View the greenhouse, bouquet operations, and the breeding center.

The farm produces approximately 45 varieties of roses and more than 30 species of tropical flowers. The plantation has 11 hectares of roses and spray roses, in addition to 15 hectares of flowers such as gerberas, sunflowers, and campanulas.

Morning: This morning we will travel to Cuicocha Lake and the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve for a scenic walk in the highlands.

The beautiful lake is located alongside Volcan Cotacachi; an eroded volcanic crater that through the years filled with water. The surrounding cliffs are rich with plant and animal life and are now part of the Reserva Ecologica Cotacachi-Cayapas.

Visit Cotacachi town, known for its weavings and leather products.

Lunch: At local restaurant.

Afternoon: Orientation to San Antonio de Ibarra, a small indigenous village with a reputation for its skilled carpenters and wood carving artists. A walk along the main street and the town square will reveal various art galleries and workshops.

Description: The Hilton Colon Quito hotel enjoys spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains. Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport is 20 minutes away and the historic colonial section of the city (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) can be reached within a 10 minutes' walk. The hotel is well equiped to meet the needs of both the vacation and business traveler, with 15 meeting rooms, an executive lounge, and wireless internet access throughout.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights after: Subject to availability.Room types and rates are subject to availability. Please contact the program provider, Holbrook Travel, at 1-800-866-7111 and roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com for rates and availability.

Morning: After breakfast, depart for Otavalo, in the northern province of Imbabura.

Enjoy a field trip to the Otavalo Market and an on-site discussion: Otavaleños: Tradition and Globalization.

The Otavalo Market is a famous market dating back to pre-Inca times where locals and visitors can buy or barter food, animals, basic necessities and crafts. Otavaleños are well known for their superior business skills. Examples of their craft can be found at this market and throughout stores in the country.

Transfer to the small village of Peguche for a visit with a local indigenous family. Learn about their long-standing traditions in music, back-strap weaving, and herbal medicine.

Lunch: At local restaurant.

Taste the flavors of Andean cuisine while enjoying a lunch prepared with typical ingredients and products of the Ecuadorian highlands.

Afternoon: Transfer to Quito, traveling through the scenic Imbabura Province.

Imbabura is also commonly referred to as the Lakes Province because of the many lakes that dot its landscape. The highland lakes offer good hunting and fishing for local communities and are an added attraction for tourists visiting the many craft towns north of Quito.

Day Six: Monday, June 09 - Departures/Flights to the U.S.
Arrivals in ...

Depart From: Morning transfer to the international airport to catch your flight to the U.S.

Note: Participants with independent travel arrangements and/or scheduled on later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check-out time on this day. Except for breakfast, all other meals are on your own on this day.

Important information about your itinerary: Please know that while we do everything we can to finalize all aspects of our programs well in advance, there are logistics that occasionally must be altered. Our website will reflect the most recent information, and we are committed to providing you with final program details no later than eight weeks prior to the start of programs outside the U.S. and three weeks prior to the start of programs within the U.S. If you ever have questions about your program, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

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The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!